The UDP contains 2 Parts. The First Part sets out the overall strategy. It sets out the main issues to be addressed in the Plan and the general approach to be adopted in preparing the more detailed land use policies, which are, contained in Part 2.
Guiding Principles
Part 1 contains two guiding principles that run through the whole plan and four specific headings covering the major planning issues. These are summarised as follows:
1. SOCIAL INCLUSION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SOCIAL WELL BEING
- The policies in the UDP seek not to discriminate against any individual because of disability, poverty, race or gender, or because people's special needs are not recognised.
- The areas of the Borough that suffer from severe deprivation are recognised as priority areas for development and investment.
2. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
- Development will be guided to ensure the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the needs of the future.
- The reuse of derelict, underused and vacant land will be a priority.
- Land will be identified sufficient to sustain economic growth and to provide adequate housing.
- The enhancement of town centres will be supported.
- Good quality design and an appropriate mixture of uses will be encouraged.
- The uses of land will try to exploit and promote high accessibility by public transport.
- The conservation of the Borough's areas of importance for wildlife and history will be supported.
- The protection of the traditional character of distinctive areas will to give recognition and support to community identity at the local level.
Strategic Policies
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT
- Protect and conserve 'green assets' such as the Green Belt, green wedges, open spaces, water, air quality, wildlife and geology.
- Protect, conserve and promote access to 'heritage assets' such as conservation areas, landscape heritage areas, important buildings, archaeological sites, canals and public art.
- Encourage waste reduction, the reuse of waste and recycling.
DEVELOPMENT
- Encourage mixed-use development and buildings in order to minimise the need to travel.
- Provide land for 7,170 new dwellings between 1999 and 2011 to meet housing needs.
- Protect existing employment sites and provide land for future development.
- Encourage high quality design.
REGENERATION
- Support the physical, environmental, economic and social renewal of residential and industrial areas.
- Encourage the creation and retention of jobs in the 'Central Employment Zone' which is defined as the area from Dudley to Brierley Hill and Lye, connected by the proposed Metro; containing most of the Borough’s jobs, derelict land and employment sites; and surrounded by the areas of greatest deprivation.
- Protect and enhance town centres.
- Promote the development of Brierley Hill as a new sub-regional town centre.
- Provide local community facilities.
- Provide new and improved sport, leisure and recreation facilities.
ACCESS AND MOVEMENT
- Consider the relationship between land use and transport when considering proposals for development.
- Improve accessibility for all the Borough's residents, particularly those who do not travel by car, and minimise the need to travel.
- Encourage cycling and walking.
- Avoid the harmful effects of traffic.
- Ensure appropriate car parking provision.
These early documents relate to the preparation of the Dudley Unitary Development Plan and chart the stages and position of policy in the Plan at each stage of the review. They are intended for reference only and the content does not necessarily reflect the current state of play.
